Brendan Rodgers praised the Liverpool debutants Andre Wisdom and Suso for "seizing their opportunity" after Young Boys were beaten in a chaotic Europa League tie in Switzerland.

Liverpool came from 3-2 down to triumph 5-3 in Berne courtesy of two late goals from the substitute Jonjo Shelvey, who at 20 was one of the more established players on display. Rodgers handed a full debut to the recent signing Oussama Assaidi and started with Daniel Pacheco in attack but it was the academy graduates Wisdom and Suso who made the greater impression among the new faces.

Wisdom, a 19-year-old defender from Leeds, marked his debut with a fine headed goal and Suso gave a polished display in central midfield. "It was a wonderful header from Andre and a great moment for him in his first game for Liverpool and especially with it being in Europe," Rodgers said. "Andre has played a lot at centre-half in his career so far but I think he's got all the qualities to be a top Premier League right-back. I loved Suso's arrogance on the ball too."

Terrible defending from both sides conspired to produce an entertaining opener to Group A but the Liverpool manager preferred not to dwell on Young Boys' three goals. He said: "We have come away with a young team into a European game and I want to talk about the five goals we scored which were absolutely magnificent.

"We could have defended better and there is no question the three goals we gave away were disappointing but the young players were so courageous and brave to play and show that confidence. My senior players were very much together and kept the young guys going. All round it was very pleasing. It was a chance for the young players to seize that opportunity to play and they did that. It is a night of great pride for the club and certainly me as a manager. To play like we did and get the goals we did was quite fantastic."

Rodgers also highlighted Shelvey's display as evidence of the England Under-21 international's improvement. "He is still only 20 years of age and is developing and growing all the time and you saw his confidence when he came. I think he will be a big player for Liverpool," he said.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have opened talks with Daniel Agger over a new contract. The influential Denmark defender, who was pursued by Manchester City this summer in the absence of a contract offer from Liverpool, has two years remaining on his current deal and is keen to extend his career at Anfield.